Martin Luther King's Influence Of The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s was a mass mobilization and unification of people from varying backgrounds fighting for equal rights and equal opportunity for Black Americans. Black male leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. preached about equality and challenged people to consider social injustices within society. The leadership qualities and influence of Dr. King are undeniable. His rhetoric united Black America and identified their entitlement to the principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Dr. King’s inspiring speech for Black’s to “one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”, motivated White and Black

Influential Black male ministers like Martin Luther King Jr., were regarded as pillars within the Black community. A Black women activist noted that “a lot comes from the traditions of the church and the male minister as the leader, the person whom you’re supposed to obey.” The traditional gender roles and values therefore prevented Black women from becoming ministers, deacons, or heads of the Southern Baptist church. Consequently, the accomplishments of “visible titled leaders” are credited for their activism and overall success of the Civil Rights Movement. Leadership cannot just be narrowly based on visibility, authority, and/or charisma. It is by these definitions that the contributions of Black women in the Civil Rights Movement have been ignored and overshadowed. Specifically, the overgeneralized mentality that “Men led, but women organized” relinquishes women of any leadership qualities and

Bernice McNair Barnett conducted several interviews with Black women activists. Through her collection of oral histories, Black women acknowledged expressing concerns of followers, defining and setting goals, and providing an ideology for a justification for action as their primary leadership duties. They also fundraised, recruited members, assisted in community welfare. This illustrates the leadership role of Black women was not one dimensional. Rather it was through their obligation to the movement that motivated other people to engage and participate in the Civil Rights movement. Fundamentally, these leadership roles established community relationships to the movement. Black women were accessible for their community, and thus established support